A belovedBrownslegend,Chubbwalked out of a tunnel leading to the field and waved to fans as they enthusiastically cheered for him during a timeout with 8:34 left in the opening quarter. TheBrownsalso played a tribute video to honorChubb, who signed a one-day contract with Cleveland on Friday, Sept. 25, so he could retire with the team.
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The video featured a Batman theme. The scene elicited memories of Dec. 23, 2023, whenBatman fan Chubbwore the Dark Knight's mask ashe fulfilled Dawg Pound Captain duties. The Browns then defeated theNew York Jets37-20 on "Thursday Night Football." At the time, Chubb was rehabilitating from a gruesome left knee injury he suffered on Sept. 18, 2023, against thePittsburgh Steelers.
Browns running back Nick Chubb is all smiles on the sideline during minicamp, Tuesday, June 11, 2024, in Berea.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) rushes for a first down as Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Jedrick Wills (71) blocks during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Oct 2, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
(Brett Davis, USA TODAY Sports)
Georgia Bulldogs running back Nick Chubb (27) celebrates after scoring on a 50-yard touchdown run in the third quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 21, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) is introduced before the game between the Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field.
(Ken Blaze, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
Dec 2, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart and running back Nick Chubb (27) are interviewed after defeating the Auburn Tigers in the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
(Brett Davis, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) celebrates his rushing touchdown with guard Zak Zinter (70) and tight end David Njoku (85) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Nick Chubb reacts on the Georgia sideline during the first half of a NCAA college football game between Tennessee and Georgia in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022.
News Joshua L Jones
(Joshua L. Jones, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Nov 21, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) scores a touchdown during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
(Ken Blaze, Ken Blaze-Imagn Images)
Sep 18, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) is taken from the field on a cart after suffering an apparent injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
(Charles LeClaire, Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
Browns guard Joel Bitonio (75) and tackle Jack Conklin (78) celebrate after Nick Chubb scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 27, 2022, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
ATHENS, GA - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back Nick Chubb #27 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates with running back Sony Michel #1 at the conclusion of the game against the Southern University Jaguars on September 26, 2015 at Sanford Stadium.
(Todd Kirkland, Getty Images)
Jan 10, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) runs the ball against Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) during the first quarter at Heinz Field. The Browns won 48-37. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
(Charles LeClaire, Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
Oct 13, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) runs with the ball as Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tre Flowers (21) defends during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
(Ken Blaze, Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports)
Houston Texans running back Nick Chubb (21) hits the turf Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, during a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
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Look back at Browns legend Nick Chubb's football career through photos
Browns running back Nick Chubb is all smiles on the sideline during minicamp, Tuesday, June 11, 2024, in Berea.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
1/15
Look back at Browns legend Nick Chubb's football career through photos
Browns running back Nick Chubb is all smiles on the sideline during minicamp, Tuesday, June 11, 2024, in Berea.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
2/15
Look back at Browns legend Nick Chubb's football career through photos
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) rushes for a first down as Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Jedrick Wills (71) blocks during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
3/15
Look back at Browns legend Nick Chubb's football career through photos
Oct 2, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
(Brett Davis, USA TODAY Sports)
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Look back at Browns legend Nick Chubb's football career through photos
Georgia Bulldogs running back Nick Chubb (27) celebrates after scoring on a 50-yard touchdown run in the third quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5/15
Look back at Browns legend Nick Chubb's football career through photos
Nov 21, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) is introduced before the game between the Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field.
(Ken Blaze, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
6/15
Look back at Browns legend Nick Chubb's football career through photos
Dec 2, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart and running back Nick Chubb (27) are interviewed after defeating the Auburn Tigers in the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
(Brett Davis, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
7/15
Look back at Browns legend Nick Chubb's football career through photos
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) celebrates his rushing touchdown with guard Zak Zinter (70) and tight end David Njoku (85) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
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Look back at Browns legend Nick Chubb's football career through photos
Nick Chubb reacts on the Georgia sideline during the first half of a NCAA college football game between Tennessee and Georgia in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022.
News Joshua L Jones
(Joshua L. Jones, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
9/15
Look back at Browns legend Nick Chubb's football career through photos
Nov 21, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) scores a touchdown during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
(Ken Blaze, Ken Blaze-Imagn Images)
10/15
Look back at Browns legend Nick Chubb's football career through photos
Sep 18, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) is taken from the field on a cart after suffering an apparent injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
(Charles LeClaire, Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
11/15
Look back at Browns legend Nick Chubb's football career through photos
Browns guard Joel Bitonio (75) and tackle Jack Conklin (78) celebrate after Nick Chubb scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 27, 2022, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Look back at Browns legend Nick Chubb's football career through photos
ATHENS, GA - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back Nick Chubb #27 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates with running back Sony Michel #1 at the conclusion of the game against the Southern University Jaguars on September 26, 2015 at Sanford Stadium.
(Todd Kirkland, Getty Images)
13/15
Look back at Browns legend Nick Chubb's football career through photos
Jan 10, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) runs the ball against Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) during the first quarter at Heinz Field. The Browns won 48-37. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
(Charles LeClaire, Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
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Look back at Browns legend Nick Chubb's football career through photos
Oct 13, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) runs with the ball as Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tre Flowers (21) defends during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
(Ken Blaze, Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports)
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Look back at Browns legend Nick Chubb's football career through photos
Houston Texans running back Nick Chubb (21) hits the turf Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, during a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The 30-year-old Chubb returned from the injury and played for the Browns in 2024 before they let him leave in free agency. He spent his final NFL season in 2025 with theHouston Texans.
Although Chubb didn't serve as Dawg Pound Captain for Cleveland's 2026 home opener (those responsibilities went to new Browns Legends inductees Brian Brennan and Alex Mack), Chubb was indeed in the house. Chubb knew what to expect during his 2026 reunion with Browns fans.
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"It'll be emotional for me. I know that," Chubb said during a retirement news conference on Friday, Sept. 25. " I think for everybody, too, just with how things went here with me, how, you know, I had so much success and then just to get taken down like that and then never really come back. It was just kind of a sad ending. So, I think now it's better closure for everyone just to see me finally back in the stadium and to be in high spirits, be up and walking and moving, and just for me to be back in Cleveland watching the Browns."
Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal listens to Cleveland Brown Running back Nick Chubb answer a question during The 2024 Greater Akron-Canton High School Sports Awards, Friday, June 21, 2024, at the Akron Civic Theatre.
Drafted by the Browns in the second round in 2018, Chubb made four consecutive Pro Bowls from 2019 to 2022 and established himself as arguably the best pure rusher in the NFL. He also endeared himself to Browns fans by being a quiet, relentless worker, the epitome of an elite producer who showed no interest in pomp and circumstance.
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"Obviously, I'm Cleveland forever," Chubb said. "I'm a Brown for life now."
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached atnulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter:@ByNateUlrich.
